Stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprnListen nowLegislature approves use of Permanent Fund to pay for state government Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – JuneauFor the first time in the Alaska Permanent Fund’s 40-year history, the Legislature has adopted a plan to draw money from the fund to pay for state government. Governor Bill Walker says he’ll sign the bill plan. Supporters say it protects the fund.Is meth back in Alaska? Or did it never leave? Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – AnchorageOpioids like heroin get the most attention when you hear about the drug epidemic in Alaska. But people working at the ground level are warning of a parallel problem that’s getting worse.Walker’s oil & gas advisor leaves for job at NANARashah McChesney, Alaska Public Media – JuneauJohn Hendrix will head NANA Regional Corporation’s commercial group.Fairbanks City Council approves marijuana regulations that limit retail shops to 25Tim Ellis, KUAC – FairbanksAfter a heated debate, the Fairbanks City Council approved an ordinance Monday that added regulations to the marijuana industry.New automation initiatives driving National Weather Service push to focus staff in urban officesDan Bross, KUAC – FairbanksThe National Weather Service is automating weather balloon launches in Alaska as part of a shift that will concentrate staff at the agencies urban forecast offices.Ask a Climatologist: Traditional knowledge is critical to climate researchAnnie Feidt, Alaska’s Energy Desk – AnchorageMore and more, scientists rely on traditional ecological knowledge to study climate change.Indian Country Today’s new editor Mark Trahant on the future of Native journalismChristine Trudeau, KYUK – BethelLast week KYUK got a visit from Mark Trahant, the new Managing Editor of “Indian Country Today.” A longtime independent journalist, Trahant has been coming to Alaska for decades, and served as a college professor here.read more